Kraken vs KuCoin Comparison
In our overall rating Kraken leads with 4.2 out of 5 points, ahead of KuCoin with 3.9. Our table lists the trading fee as “1 %” for Kraken and “0.1% maker/taker (spot)” for KuCoin. If you care most about usability, stability, and support, Kraken has the better sub-scores, while KuCoin leads on fees.
| 1 % | Fees | 0.1% maker/taker (spot) |
| € 10.00 | Minimum cost per €1,000 | — |
| 629 | Cryptos | — |
| SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card | Payment Methods | — |
| EU: MiCA USA: CFTC UK: FCA | Regulation | MiCA licence from the FMA (Austria) since 27 Nov 2025, FMA does not yet permit commencement of operations |
Cost comparison
The basis is a Bitcoin purchase worth €1,000, calculated from the disclosed trading fee. A price markup in the spread is not included, because most providers do not publish it.
| € 10.00 | Minimum cost per €1,000 | — |
| 1 % | Fees | 0.1% maker/taker (spot) |
| € 1.49 | Wallet transfer | — |
| Limited | Cost transparency | — |
| € 1 | Minimum Amount | €10 per order (BTC/EUR) |
| SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card | Payment Methods | — |
At Kraken the route sets the price: simple buys in the app and on the web cost a fixed fee plus a spread, while Kraken Pro charges maker and taker rates based on your volume over the last 30 days. All Kraken fees for deposits, trading and withdrawals are listed in one table in our guide to Kraken fees.
| Transaction | Cost at Kraken |
|---|---|
| Instant buy, instant sell and recurring buys | 1% plus spread in the price |
| Custom orders in simple mode | 1.5% plus spread |
| Kraken+ (subscription) | no trading fee up to USD 10,000 volume per month, spread and card fees still apply |
| Converting small balances | 3% below the minimum order size |
| Kraken Pro, tier 1 (up to USD 2,500 in 30 days) | 0.40% maker, 0.80% taker |
| Kraken Pro, tier 3 (from USD 10,000) | 0.22% maker, 0.38% taker |
| Kraken Pro, tier 5 (from USD 50,000) | 0.15% maker, 0.30% taker |
| Deposits and withdrawals | depending on method and currency, shown before you confirm |
How to save: Even in tier 1, Kraken Pro at 0.80% taker is cheaper than an instant buy at 1% plus spread, and limit orders as a maker cost 0.40%. If you buy less than USD 10,000 a month, look at Kraken+. See how Kraken compares in our crypto exchange comparison.
Fees as of 1 November 2026 according to the Kraken fee schedule.
You can open a Kraken account through our partner link to Kraken; cryptoticker.io receives a commission when an account is opened. As of 1 November 2026.
Note, as of 1 November 2026: KuCoin EU states on its website that trading and deposits have been suspended since 4 February 2026. The table shows the rates KuCoin EU lists in its fee schedule.
| Transaction | Cost at KuCoin EU |
|---|---|
| Spot trading, base tier VIP 0 | 0.1% maker, 0.1% taker |
| Spot trading, VIP 3 | 0.075% maker, 0.09% taker |
| Spot trading, VIP 6 | 0.025% maker, 0.05% taker |
| Spot trading, VIP 12 | 0% maker, 0.025% taker |
| EUR deposits and withdrawals | via SEPA and SEPA Instant, fee shown before the withdrawal |
| Crypto withdrawals | network fee per coin |
How to save: Rates fall as your VIP tier rises. Users who already hold VIP status at another exchange can apply at KuCoin EU for a tier two levels higher for 60 days. We compare MiCA-licensed exchanges that are open for trading in our crypto exchange comparison.
Fees as of 1 November 2026 according to KuCoin EU VIP tiers and fees.
Pros & Cons
- MiCA licence from the Central Bank of Ireland since 25 June 2025, valid across the EU
- More than 600 coins, 490 of them directly against the euro (1 November 2026)
- Proof of reserves by auditors, latest Bitcoin coverage 102.9% (30 June 2026)
- Kraken Pro from 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker
- FIDO2 passkeys, Global Settings Lock, ISO/IEC 27001
- On the market since 2011, with savings plan and staking
- Simple buy at 1% plus spread, custom orders 1.5%
- Regular delistings with withdrawal deadlines, most recently 13 tokens on 23 October 2026
- A dust attack in August 2026 led to temporary account freezes
- The low Pro rates require getting used to an order-book interface
- More than 800 coins worldwide, one of the largest altcoin selections
- Spot fees from 0.1% maker and taker, 0% maker from VIP 8
- MiCA licence from the FMA for KuCoin EU since 27 November 2025, valid across the EEA
- Futures, trading bots and earn products in the international offering
- Trading and deposits at KuCoin EU paused since 4 February 2026 (as of 1 November 2026)
- According to the FMA, operations may only start once further governance and management requirements are met
- Guilty plea in the US in January 2025, $297 million penalty
Score Comparison
User Experiences
AI AnalysisAccording to the analyzed user reviews, Kraken is often described as simple and easy to understand, especially with regard to the app and basic usability. At the same time, users mainly report criticism of support-related topics and costs, so the overall picture from a user perspective is mixed.
Provider details (fees, licences, pros and cons) editorially reviewed: November 2026. This analysis is based on 1184 user reviews evaluated by AI from the Apple App Store, Trustpilot, and Google Play Store. The total number of reviews on the respective platforms may be higher, the platform ratings (star ratings) shown refer to all reviews available there. The reviews shown reflect users’ experiences and do not represent the site operator’s own assessment. All information without guarantee. Status: March 2026. This comparison does not constitute investment advice.
Features
| available | Savings plan | not specified |
| available | Staking | not specified |
| available | Wallet transfer | not specified |
| not available | Cost transparency | not specified |
| available | 2FA security | not specified |
| available | Account lock | not specified |
| available | SEPA instant bank transfer | not specified |
| available | PayPal | not specified |
| available | Credit card | not specified |
| available | Mobile app (iOS/Android) | not specified |
- MiCA licence via Ireland, valid in 30 EEA countries
- More than 600 coins, 490 directly against the euro
- Proof of reserves above 100% coverage
- Kraken Pro for low-cost order-book trading
- Altcoin exchange with more than 800 coins worldwide
- MiCA licence from the FMA for KuCoin EU, trading there paused since February 2026
The five areas head to head
AI AnalysisFees & Costs
The reviews present a mixed picture when it comes to fees and costs: on the one hand, low fees are mentioned positively several times; on the other hand, users criticize high fees. According to user reviews, the perception of costs is therefore not consistent.
Spot at KuCoin EU: 0.1% maker and 0.1% taker in the base tier, falling with the VIP tier to 0% maker and 0.025% taker. According to KuCoin EU, trading and deposits have been suspended since 4 February 2026 (as of 1 November 2026).
Usability & User Experience
Users particularly appreciate Kraken’s intuitive app and clear design, which are repeatedly described in reviews as easy to use. According to the reviews, getting started is quick for many users, and overall navigation is also mentioned positively. Some users report that the app does not open immediately, which makes usability appear limited from the perspective of individual reviews.
Not enough reviews available.
Features & Offering
In the analyzed user reviews, there are only a few recurring statements about features and the offering, which is why this area mainly reveals individual requests. Among other things, users want a candlestick chart, a prediction market, an auto-sell function, a 72-hour timer, and a widget for the app. In addition, some users would like more support for beginners and a calendar. Overall, the feedback mainly shows additional feature requests.
Not enough reviews available.
Stability & Security
Regarding stability and reliability, the analyzed user data mainly contains individual critical feedback. Some users report that the app cannot be opened immediately or that withdrawals are perceived as delayed. Overall, however, the available data is not sufficient, according to the reviews, to derive a clearly reliable user picture for this area.
Not enough reviews available.
Customer Support
When it comes to support, users comparatively often report longer waiting times or no response at all. According to the reviews, missing help and slow reactions are repeatedly criticized, making this area clearly viewed critically from a user perspective. Individual feedback also suggests that issues are not always resolved promptly.
Not enough reviews available.
Details
| Payward Europe Solutions Limited | Company | KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH |
| 2011 | Founded | 2017 |
| EU: MiCA USA: CFTC UK: FCA | Regulation | MiCA licence from the FMA (Austria) since 27 Nov 2025, FMA does not yet permit commencement of operations |
| € 1 | Minimum Amount | €10 per order (BTC/EUR) |
| Photo ID | KYC | — |
Verdict
In our overall rating Kraken leads with 4.2 against 3.9 for KuCoin.
For most investors Kraken is therefore the better choice.
In short: Kraken is one of the oldest crypto exchanges in the world, active since 2011 and licensed under MiCA in the EEA. More than 600 coins, 490 of them directly against the euro, a regular proof of reserves and strong security features speak for the platform. The simple buy costs 1% plus spread; on the Kraken Pro order book you pay from 0.40% as a maker and 0.80% as a taker.
Is Kraken safe and licensed in the EU?
Yes, Kraken may serve customers across the EU. In the EEA, Kraken operates through Payward Europe Solutions Limited, based in Dublin, licensed under MiCA since 25 June 2025 and supervised by the Central Bank of Ireland. Through the EU passport the licence covers 30 EEA countries, including Germany, France and Spain (ESMA register, file of 30 October 2026). It covers custody, exchanging crypto for money and for other crypto, order execution and transfers, among other services. Kraken's parent Payward agreed on 14 October 2026 to buy Lithuania's Saldo Bank; closing is planned for 2027 and needs regulatory approval (our report on the deal).
Reserves and security: Kraken has its proof of reserves prepared regularly by auditors. The snapshot of 30 June 2026 shows coverage of 102.9% for Bitcoin, 100.5% for Ether, 100.6% for Solana and 102.3% for XRP, and 105% or more each for USDC and USDT. Kraken is certified to ISO/IEC 27001:2022, offers two-factor authentication with FIDO2 passkeys and a Global Settings Lock, and does not recover accounts by phone or SMS.
Account freezes and delistings: Between 17 and 24 August 2026, Kraken customers received almost 12,000 tiny deposits from wallets that analytics firms attribute to the sanctioned exchange HTX. Sanctions screening temporarily froze affected accounts; access has since been restored (our report on the dust attack). Kraken also removes tokens from trading regularly, most recently 13 tokens on 23 October 2026; withdrawal deadlines and steps are in our delisting report.
What you can do yourself: turn on a passkey or two-factor authentication and the Global Settings Lock, leave tiny deposits of unknown origin untouched and keep larger amounts on your own hardware wallet.
Who is Kraken for?
Kraken suits investors who want a long-established exchange with a wide choice of euro pairs, a savings plan and staking. Regular traders save with Kraken Pro. Since 26 October 2026, EEA customers with a derivatives account can also trade bitcoin and ether options there after an appropriateness assessment, provided by Cyprus-based Payward Europe Digital Solutions (CY) Limited under CySEC supervision. For simple euro trading, Bitvavo is cheaper, and Coinbase is an alternative with a listed parent company. All licensed providers are listed in our comparison of regulated crypto exchanges.
In short: KuCoin is popular with altcoin traders: more than 800 coins worldwide, spot trading from 0.1%, plus futures, trading bots and earn products. For investors in the EU, KuCoin EU is responsible, the European company with a MiCA licence from Austria. Trading and deposits there have been paused since 4 February 2026. If you are looking for an account to trade today, choose an exchange that is fully operating.
Is KuCoin safe and licensed in the EU?
The licence is in place, trading at KuCoin EU is paused. KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH, based in Vienna, has been authorised as a crypto-asset service provider under Article 63 of MiCA since 27 November 2025, granted by Austria's Financial Market Authority (FMA). Through the EU passport the licence covers 29 EEA countries, including Germany, France and Spain (ESMA register, file of 30 October 2026). It covers custody, exchanging crypto-assets for funds and for other crypto-assets, placing and transfers.
Why trading is paused: On its website, KuCoin EU states that trading and deposits have been suspended since 4 February 2026 (as of 1 November 2026). The FMA ordered a ban on new business on 19 February 2026 because the money laundering and sanctions officer posts were no longer filled, and lifted it on 18 May 2026. Under a decision of 18 February 2026, however, KuCoin EU may only start operating once all supervisory requirements are met, in particular on governance and on filling further key positions in management (FMA notice). The FMA had not published any newer decision by 1 November 2026.
Track record: In January 2025, KuCoin's parent company Peken Global pleaded guilty in the US to operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, paid $297 million and withdrew from the US for at least two years (our report). In October 2026 South Korea blocked access to KuCoin because the exchange is not registered there (South Korea blocks 27 exchanges).
What you can do yourself: if you still hold funds at KuCoin, read the notices in your account, turn on two-factor authentication and a withdrawal address whitelist, and keep larger amounts in your own wallet, for example a hardware wallet.
Who is KuCoin for?
KuCoin suits experienced altcoin traders who want a very large choice of small coins and who live in a country where KuCoin accepts customers. For trading from the EU, exchanges with a MiCA licence and full operations are the better fit, such as Bybit EU, OKX, Kraken or Bitvavo. All licensed providers are listed in our comparison of regulated crypto exchanges.